World
Boeing Jet’s Throttle Becomes Focus in Indonesia Crash Probe
- Device that sets 737-500’s speed had problems prior to crash
- A malfunction in engine power could lead to a loss of control
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Indonesian investigators probing the Jan. 9 crash of a Sriwijaya Air flight are looking at the possibility that a malfunctioning automatic throttle could have led to the pilots losing control, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
The autothrottle was producing more thrust in one of the Boeing Co. 737-500’s two engines than the other shortly before the plane carrying 62 people crashed into the Java Sea, said the person, who isn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The device had been having problems on previous flights, the person said.